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We are often overwhelmed by the dark clouds that hang over our lives. Life has a tendency to send hurricanes to ruin our sunny days, but this week, Elizabeth Gomez teaches us that our emotional experience of the world mirrors the seasons and cycles of weather: no matter how loud the thunder crashes, "this too shall pass."

The Language of Weather

When I was thirteen years old, my grandmother offered me some simple words of wisdom to help cope with my parents’ painful divorce. She said “Remember, behind the storm clouds, the sun is always shining.”

I’ve returned to her simple reminder over and over again. No matter how tumultuous or desperate my life may feel, blue skies and a bright sun wait just behind behind the clouds. The storm will eventually pass and I’ll feel the warmth and clarity of a new day again. This image has brought me much comfort.

The changing weather patterns - cycles of storms and sunshine - offer a constant reminder of how our inner and outer worlds are continually shifting and transforming. Each hour is different. Every day brings something new. Just when we’ve gotten used to basking in the light, a downpour interrupts our calm. And when we start to believe that our emotional turmoil will never end, a ray of sun pierces through the clouds and brings us hope for a new beginning.

As I walk in nature I like to observe the weather and how it affects the natural world: how the winds rustle the trees and blow leaves to the ground when they’re no longer needed, how the animals react to rain, how spring flowers defy the bitter cold and erupt from the snow. Sometimes I close my eyes and invite the wind to do the same to me, to help me clear away the old, dead “leaves" I no longer need. I admire the rains that cleanse the forest and help germinate new life, tempting me to lay on the ground and let them cleanse me too. I love being surrounded by the silence and stillness of the falling snow, beckoning me to quiet myself and contemplate the mysteries and beauty of life.

There are so many profound metaphors in the natural world, it seems that every time we go to the forest we are shown some sort of wisdom to enrich our lives. The tree that is too rigid breaks in the strong wind, while the supple tree bows to it and regains composure when the wind has passed - a nice reminder to be flexible in the face of adversity. What is old must die and decompose, fertilizing the ground to make way for new life. This observation can help us not fear death but instead embrace it as part of the natural cycle of life. ​​

​The language of the weather, and of all of the natural world, can enrich our understanding of our selves and the changes that flutter and blow into our lives.

In Umbanda, a nature-based spiritual tradition from Brazil, each of the four elements is understood in three different dimensions: Physical manifestations in nature, archetypes, and energies that influence our lives. For example:

Fire relates to the spark of new ideas, the flow of vitality and creativity, and the capacity to focus our energy and transform our lives. It encompasses the archetypes of the guardian who can open the way or block your path, and the king who imparts justice.

Earth represents the physical world and our way of being it, our state of physical health and relationships to others. Earth archetypes include the healer who understands the source of illness and imbalance, the seeker or hunter who pursues his objective but only takes what he needs, and the wise elders who hold great compassion for our earthly suffering.

Water is the realm of the emotions, tenderness, nurturing, and fertility. Our waters can flow freely, cleanly, and effortlessly, or they can become muddied and stagnant. Here we find the archetypes of the loving mother, the nurturing grandmother, and the goddess of love.

Air is our consciousness, our ideas, the way we understand ourselves - our past, our present, our future, and our soul. As the winds blow through us, they shift our ideas and bring us new insights and wisdom. The archetypes of air include the gypsy who lives purely through the heart, the clairvoyant who sees beyond time, and the sage.

When the four elements are balanced, they maintain a state of peaceful movement. When out of balance, they manifest as the destructive forces of extreme weather: Large fires, earthquakes, floods, or tornadoes.

These extreme events, both in our outer world and our inner world, are quite challenging. They upend our lives and violently shake things loose, force us to face total loss, or leave us submerged in the swirling waters of our emotions. Ultimately they force us into a new way of living, being or understanding.

Just a few days before my parents announced their separation, I had a dream. I was playing in the backyard. The birds were singing, flowers were blooming, and all was peaceful. Then the sky turned a greenish hue - the telltale omen of a tornado - a warning sign I knew well, having grown up in the Midwest. The birds stopped singing and I knew I needed to run for cover.The whipping of violent winds drew closer and suddenly a huge passenger train came bellowing through the alley behind our house. I knew something was about to change dramatically in my life, but at the time of the dream I had no idea what it was.

My grandmother was one of the most humble and loving people I’ve ever encountered, and also one of the wisest. She lived with her heart wide open, caring passionately and selflessly for those around her. She remembered little details of everyone’s lives, followed up regularly to see how things had gone, and made every granddaughter, friend, or family member feel special. She understood that our relationships with those around us are what matter most. To me, that understanding extends to include the people in our lives and the natural world around us.

When I think back to those tumultuous years, I feel immense gratitude toward my grandmother. She said only a few words to help me address a challenging time, but they were poignant and profound. The image she gifted me with continues to serve as a reminder to look toward the sky for insight and inspiration.

Next time you venture into nature, heed the wisdom the weather might be offering to you through the blowing winds, refreshing rains, or shifting clouds.

The influence of the four elements on our lives is a constant, polishing us with the ebb and flow of continually changing circumstances. But the sun is always shining brightly behind the clouds.

“Remember, behind the storm clouds, the sun is always shining.”

Elizabeth Gomez lives in the majestic Rocky Mountains not far from Denver, Colorado, where she offers mindful nature immersion experiences and nature-based healing services. After spending ten years living immersed in cultures with a rich understanding of our relationship with nature (West Africa, Haiti, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Brazil…) she returned to the United States with a conviction that we can benefit profoundly from a deeper connection with the forces of nature in our lives. Elizabeth has an undergraduate degree in psychology and anthropology, a master’s degree in public health from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and many years of experience conducting nature-based rituals guided by an Afro-Brazilian spiritual tradition.Learn more at http://ewassa.com

Love this piece! What a beautiful idea to bring attention to nature to help us process through our own circumstances with a meaningful perspective. This closing quote summed it up perfectly, "The influence of the four elements on our lives is a constant, polishing us with the ebb and flow of continually changing circumstances". Its all grace and useful and makes us who we are meant to be. Thanks Elizabeth!